What a load of Ballacks

 

14/09/06

 

THE world’s highest-paid footballer claims he can’t afford to live in Britain.

 

Chelsea’s Michael Ballack, 29, hit out at London house prices – despite earning a whopping £130,000 a week.

 

That’s enough for a mortgage of nearly £30million. The German captain insists his £6.76m annual salary isn’t enough to get on the property ladder – which will stun Brits earning the average annual wage of £25,100.

 

The midfielder is believed to have initially set his heart on buying a six-bedroom home with a pool, either in the capital or near Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey.

 

But after being told it would set him back at least £4m, the father-of-three has now settled for renting in Wimbledon, south west London.

 

That’s despite the fact he could get a mortgage for more than £27m if he borrowed the usual four-times annual gross pay. His wages work out at £5,900 an hour in his average 22-hour working week.

 

Ballack, whose girlfriend is former waitress Simone Lambe, 28, moaned in a German newspaper: "London is extremely expensive. It is better to rent.

 

"My family and I have found a house in Wimbledon. You can get to the centre pretty quickly and also the training ground."

 

One property expert said: "It is true – London house prices are very high.

 

"The most expensive home we sold this year went for £33.5m. But Ballack could get a mortgage for nearly the full amount. With a salary of almost £7m a year, finding a luxury property shouldn’t be a problem.

 

"It’s so funny he’s saying this. Many will find it hard to swallow, especially first-time buyers forced to miss repayments after the recent interest rate rise."

 

Melanie Bien, of independent mortgage broker Savills Private Finance, said: "For him to say he can’t afford London prices is nonsensical.

 

"The average house price in Greater London is £265,011."

 

Ballack, who was interviewed in the Bild Zeitung newspaper, also hit out at the number of speed cameras on British roads.

 

And the star, who drives a £50,000 Audi Q7, said: "Luckily I have found out where they all are near me."

 

But the grumbling German did have a good word for some English traditions – and he enjoys fish, chips and peas.

 

And English supermarkets also got the thumbs-up from Ballack because he can buy German delicacies there.

this is just ridiculous. but he cleary should have tought about it before moving to london.

this is just ridiculous. but he cleary should have tought about it before moving to london.

 

Well if he can't afford to live in London on his money, then there's no hope for anyone!!;)

Gosh...I support Germany but I don't like Ballack...sorry it nothing to do with the topic. just my opinion

Well if he can't afford to live in London on his money' date=' then there's no hope for [i']anyone!!;)[/i]

 

HE can afford can afford to live there, there's no need to moan for him.

I'm sure if he moans enough, Roman will buy a house for him. Shit 4 mill, he buys ball boys for that. :rolleyes:

I'm sure if he moans enough' date=' Roman will buy a house for him. Shit 4 mill, he buys ball boys for that. :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

For what purpose?:stunned:

Never you mind nosey britches

I've got the impression as if the Britains like to publish bad articles about germans....:rolleyes:

I've got the impression as if the Britains like to publish bad articles about germans....:rolleyes:

 

I'm afraid Ballack brought it all upon himself!;)

Haha.......but of course it has to be published....something unimportant..

Haha.......but of course it has to be published....something unimportant..

 

No - quite the opposite. If there's one thing people can't stand, it's people who are "loaded" and moan about their lives!!;)

WTF??!?!?! 130,000 a WEEK?!?!

 

holy god. that's more than people make in a YEAR.

WTF??!?!?! 130,000 a WEEK?!?!

 

holy god. that's more than people make in a YEAR.

 

Well it still isn't enough for Mr. Ballack, apparently!!:rolleyes:

I've got the impression as if the Britains like to publish bad articles about germans....:rolleyes:

well, i don't have the best impression of the british press at all.

dunno... . i read that BILD article and NOBODY here in germany really cared about what he said.

lol. germans are stingy.